Golfing for Missing Children Europe

The annual charity event "Golfing for Missing Children Europe" started in 2006 and has to date attracted over 1,800 golfers to some of the most prestigious golf courses in Belgium. This event reaches high level management in private companies as well as well-known members of civil society, raising awareness of Missing Children Europe and of the risks faced by missing children.

Fine weather allowed more than 100 golf players to enjoy the wonderful golf courses of the RGCH. Many prizes offered by prestigious brands rewarded the winners of the 18 holes and 9 holes competitions, as well as the putting contest organised during the afternoon and the various challenges of longest drive and precision on the pin.

A delicious dinner prepared and served by the restaurant team ended the day and allowed our guests to relax in a warm and happy ambience. And of course the tombola that allowed the lucky and generous participants to win a stay in Marbella, Quiberon, Agadir and Crans Montana in prestigious hotels and villas, as well as seats at concerts organised by La Chapelle Musicale Reine Elisabeth.

We warmly thank all the participants, as well as our sponsors and donors.

Photo albums

Click on the following links to see pictures of Golfing for Missing Children Europe events in Hulencourt in 2012, Le Zoute in 2013,2015 and 2017, Royal Hainaut in 2014and 2018, and Ravenstein in 2016.

Who won Hainaut 2018 ?

110 golfers took part in the event in Mons. Take a look at the photo gallery in the column on the right.

What will the money raised be used for?

Parents, child care professionals and law enforcement authorities, all play an extremely important role in preventing a child from going missing. Whether a child runs away from a difficult home situation, whether they are separated from family during migration or whether they are abducted by a parent following a divorce, there is always a window of opportunity where the situation could have been prevented from escalating.

This year we will be raising money to support our project ‘Voice of the Child’ that will finally aim at giving children a voice in court cases affecting them. During the process of resolving an international separation and/or abduction, our research, has told us that very often children are not involved in the decisions that are made related to their care. Children who have been abducted by a parent often have no or little say in where they will be placed once they have been found. Other times children complained about a lack of understanding in terms of what is expected from them and complain about feeling confused and burdened with responsibility. Children who weren’t heard felt that they were not being taken seriously, or even felt invisible. Additionally, in most cases children were barely or not at all informed in cases where they were made to return to the left behind parent. Often, the abrupt return is associated with negative feelings of ambivalence, anger and intrusiveness.

We want children to be involved in decisions about their care in a way that is appropriate for them and does not leave any long-term negative impact. It is clear that with the right tools and training, children who wish to be heard whether during a court case or a mediation can be supported to do so in a way that will be positive for their wellbeing, and as a result of their input decisions can be taken that will serve their best interests. The money raised through our golf event will go towards ensuring this vital piece of work.